The Chris Townsend Show

Cooley's Contemplationsby Scott Cooley, posted on Mon, Aug. 11, 2008

WAGERING NOW IN SESSION

My wife and I recently returned from a 2400-mile road trip to and from Colorado. We enjoyed a week of vacation in a remote Southwestern town of the state and I managed to get a couple of rounds of golf in. But the cabin we retired to in the evenings was not equipped with cell phone, television or internet service so my addiction for sports was not adequately satiated as it normally is with my 24-hour I.V. sports drip while at home or the office.

So I got a little behind with the reels of my entertainment feed but have recovered and am now caught up. Lots going on in the past week or so including the launch of the 2008 Summer Olympics, but I want to tell you about the Las Vegas pit stop before we get going this week.

To cut the 18-hour excursion to Colorado in half on the way there, the wife and I decided to embark on an overnight, mini-vacation in Vegas. This provided me with an opportunity to get to a sportsbook and place some LEGAL wagers on my beloved profession. Since we had already purchased tickets for a Cirque du Soleil show (which by the way, I would not endorse, especially for $75 bucks per) at the New York, New York casino, I moseyed on over to the flat screen TVs and electronic, red-lettered wagering board.

Immediately I scanned for the odds to win the 2008 World Series section. I was pleasantly surprised to see the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as the third ranked favorite (+425) to win the Fall Classic behind the Boston Red Sox (+370) and the Chicago Cubs (+400). So I hit that number for a bill.

I would like to point out that since the recent sweeping of the Yankees and with seven wins in their last 10 outings, that number for the Angels has dropped to +370. As I stated in my last column, this team is by far and away the best in the Majors and have compiled an astounding record of 31 games over .500 (74-43) with six weeks left to play. Now don’t expect them to keep up this torrid pace with a 14.0 game lead over the Texas Rangers in the West as they will most likely give many of their starters ample days of rest as we near the season’s conclusion.

And while the college and NFL seasons don’t get going until the last weekend of August and second weekend of September, you can still find lines for the sports’ Week 1 games and some future propositions.

I really do believe the Raiders are going to patch up some holes in that sinking ship and begin to paddle in the right direction this year. They will boast an explosive ground attack with Fargas, McFadden and Bush and Rob Ryan’s defense will be a robust one. Looking at the Silver and Black’s schedule I foresee a total of eight wins, beginning with the Monday Night Football opener on ESPN against the Denver Broncos. Which brings us to my next two bets in Vegas…taking the over in the O/U total of (6) regular season wins for the Raiders and the points (+2) in the matchup between the AFC West rivals on September 8.

The next wager placed could be a trap bet so if you are following, proceed with caution. I just don’t comprehend why or how the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants are only a 3.5-point favorite at home against the Redskins on the NFL’s Thursday night opener. I know there is always the term “Super Bowl Hangover” tossed around but even with a belly full of margaritas I believe this team could rout Washington, especially under a reconstructed coaching staff. Eli Manning is starting to figure things out for himself and Tom Coughlin is brewing the magic he once had down in Jacksonville.

Forgot to mention that I bought a half point in this contest. Can’t tell you how many times a point spread has looked fishy and it come down to a half point. So if you can, buy the hook and lay the field goal at -135.

The final two wagers are on a couple of college teams and are just hunches. Sylvester Croom has Starkville buzzing and is fresh off leading the Bulldogs to their first bowl bid in seven seasons. Even though they aren’t near the top of their conference, this is still a stout SEC team that will be facing a paltry WAC opponent. And in the Cornhusker State, Bo Pelini was brought in from LSU to replace an ineffective Bill Callahan and resurrect the defense that vanished from Nebraska’s squad last season. I expect this first game will be somewhat of a coming out party for the Huskers, and although they will most likely find themselves in a high-scoring affair, will cover the two touchdown spread.

Recapping the bets:

Angels to win 2008 World Series: Risking $100 to Win $425
Raiders (over 6) regular season wins: Risking $50 to Win $45.45
Giants (-3) over Redskins: Risking $25 to Win $18.52
Raiders (+2) over Broncos: Risking $25 to Win $22.73
Mississippi St. (-10) over La. Tech: Risking $25 to Win $22.73
Nebraska (-14) over W. Michigan: Risking $25 to Win $22.73

I will try to keep and updated record on posted picks throughout the season. Best of luck on your wagering endeavors!